The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1887-11-03
CUT OFF HIS PIGTAIL.
English Sailors Save Chinese Culprit
From His Countrymen.
]. Keane's Mere shokimqs."

J. Keanes Mere Shokinqs"
The ship was still three days from Hong
Kong, the first place at which the prisoner
could be handed over to the proper authori-
ties To avoid certain disturbance among
the Cinnamon forward the quarter deck
deliberations resulted in an announcement
fore and aft the ship that the execution,
with all due form and ceremony as practiced
under the English flag would take place at
noon the next day, and the sentence
was communicated impressively to the
prisoner through all interpreter, in
the presence of all his country
men, who demonstrated most cordial
approval. As the hour approached next
day preparations went forward solemnlv
round the forehatch The butchers block
was laid amidships, the carpenters broad
AK by its side, stages for spectators rugged,
the tirst-claSs passengers, numbering about
a hundred, assembled on the bridges, boats
and houses near, with all the ships people.
The fore rigging and all the torcpart of the
deck swarmed with Cinnamon eager for
vengeance At noon the ships bell began
to toll. Shortly after the prisoner was led
out between two quartermasters; when
near the block he was made to stand while
| the purSer, in surplice. read out the first
verse of "rhe Wearing of the Green"
which was then sung by 200 voices,
yet, though knowing his time had come,
the culprit showed no remorse or repent
ance Our victims countenance remained
impressive and inscrutable as though nodded
in putty. The last service over, thres
| quartermasters flung down the Chinaman
on his face, his head on the centre of the
broad butchers block. One man seized his
queue while two held his feet, pulling with
all their strength against one another. The
| poor wretch's neck was stretched till it
| went ttpi.icLy y Tho rhiaf offipar r-aicad fhe
ak, hourished it round and round his head,
threatening to bring it down time after
time until suspense had worked oaloolsers
up TO the pitch of agony. Suddenly
down swept the broad blade, a raSp and
thud to the opposite side of the deck flew
| the men who had been extending the body.
| The ak had severed the Chnaman's tail an
inch from his head. Aprolonged, disguised
exclamation of 'Hii-i-i' went up from the
crowd forward, expressing supreme con
tempt for the skill of our executoner, and
for our national manner OF performing,
which even the prisoner seemed to share,
for the sneer with which he reganed his
feet was the first indication of
interest in the matter he had
displayed. In the confusion following
the prisoner was led back to confine-
ment. Not much difficulty was experienced
in convincing the others that by English
| law two attempts to execute the same man
could not be made on the same day. SO
convinced of the bona iide character of the
exhibition had they been that they gave no
! more trouble and Misunderstanding into
consideration that the loss of the tail is so
! much moro calamitous than the loss OF the
head-they consented to the man being
given over to the law in Hong Kong. where
he was dealt with in a way less preferable
than death TO him. being condemned to live
a convict without a tail